Lake Wales Main Street

Progress Report

July 15 – August 11, 2008

Main Street Management

As directed by the board at the July 11, 2008 board meeting, Privett emailed a copy of the 2008-09 Business Agenda and Proposed Budget to board members not present at the meeting and asked them to vote on the motion to approve. Cindy Whitley and Mel Percy voted in favor by phone. Motion passed.

As directed by the board at the July 11 meeting, Privett polled the membership to determine whether the Annual Meeting would be held as a luncheon or a dinner. Majority voted for a dinner meeting.

Privett researched contact information for all members and created a membership database. Board of Directors database also created for with updated contact information.

Florida Division of Historical Resources Main Street Program Quarterly Reports – Manager acquired information for the Quarterly Report from City Hall. Quarterly Reports for the past two quarters were submitted online. Quarterly Reports are now current.

Office Manager obtained liability insurance for Main Street office.

Promotions

• Chamber Executive Director Wojcik created a Bike Fest sponsor flyer.
  

• Manager researched bells for “City of Bells” promotion.
  

• Distributed Bikefest posters and discussed sponsorship with:
  

     oSky Powersports, Weikert, Sorensen and

     oHarley Davidson has discussed doing promotions with Lake Wales.

• Cruise the Ridge - We have something other towns don’t: One of the most scenic rides in Florida. Breakfast at Bok then ride Scenic Hwy to Sebring, back to Lake Wales for Bikefest.
  

     oBeer

     oBand

     oShops Open

Web Site

• New pages created with current contact information
  

• Map and photos added to the contact page
  

• Membership directory updated with a link to the business web site, listing as a Chamber member, or when necessary, manager created a new contact page for each business.
  

• Membership page created with link to the membership brochure
  

• Bike Fest ad placed on the front page with links to:
  

oBike Fest Press Release and photo

oSponsor Flyer

oBike Fest Poster

• Front page link added to Fox 13 Lake Wales video
  

• Chamber of Commerce Calendar link added to main navigation.
  

Kiosk

• Cleaned and added weather stripping
  

• New posters and brochures added
  

• In progress: permanent laminated poster for one side
  

oInformation about Main Street

oPictures, both modern and historic

oLegend of Historic Building tour and downtown businesses listed by            category of business

• Permanent header and corkboard for announcements on the other side.
  

Meetings

• Held Board of Directors meeting on Aug. 8
  

• Met with tourism committee. Discussed VisitFlorida.org and VisitCentralFlorida.org. Purchased VisitLakeWales.org to link local destinations and events.
  

• Organization Committee/Nominating Committee met at the Main Street office
  

• Manager met with Harold Gallup to discuss downtown economic development, parking, and open container for events.
  

• Manager met with Chief Gillis about parking. He suggested the city could hire a part time person, or install a pay-for-parking system
  

• Meetings attended to network and represent Main Street
  

oChamber “Memory Workshop” luncheon July 18

New Fundraiser

Manager Created and printed the historic photo catalog.

Downtown Survey

Manager conducted an in-person business survey on Park Avenue between and created a database. Bob Kelly and Larry Bossarte have volunteered to compile current information needed for the downtown property database.

• Aerial Map
  

oMapped location of buildings on Park

oPhotographed buildings on Park for:

Kiosk Map

Photo Inventory

Street Panorama

Events

• Held BikeFest August 9